Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver and safety Michael Huff expressed the team's emotions about the death of coach Dennis Allen's father, in a conference call with Denver reporters Tuesday. The Broncos play at Oakland on Thursday night. Grady Allen, a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons from 1968-72, died Monday night at age 66 of heart failure. Dennis Allen, 40, was...

Dennis Allen has had a tough first year as a head coach. I think once he can put his own stamp on this team, they will actually be an honorable adversary for the Broncos. I think having a former #1 pick in McFadden, who although is talented, seems to be injured for a good portion of the season, is an area they need to address in next Aprils draft. Hayward-Bey, another 1st round pick, is playing slightly better, but still nothing like they had hoped when they drafted him.They still don't have a top WR. The O-line is not very good. Defensively, they have a pretty solid D-line, but after that, no real play makers. Even Rolando McClain has had his problems this season. I would rank the Chiefs ahead of the Raiders at this point. but give Allen a few years of high draft picks and a few key free agent signings and they could regain a little of the respect that they've lost over the past several seasons.